Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Realization - 1
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The news that Namgung Hye had escaped her heart demon spread through the Namgung Family in no time.
Thanks to that, the atmosphere in the family was quite upbeat. Come to think of it, there was nothing strange about it.
After all, she'd taken another step forward in her growth by breaking free from the heart demon.
And perhaps because of that, the way the Namgung Family treated me had changed quite a bit.
"Ah! Young Master Jin! We'll take care of that!"
"Please rest! We can handle things like this!"
The maids came rushing in surprise when I tried to fire up the stove to make Namgung Hye's meal, just as I always did.
They stopped me and briskly started lighting the fire and washing the rice.
Until just a little while ago, it had felt uncomfortable handing over work I'd always done myself to others.
"We can prepare the young lady's meal too!"
"Yes! You should rest, Young Master!"
I wonder what they'd heard. I nodded to the maids, who seemed thoroughly intimidated, and left the kitchen.
It was supposed to be cooking time, but unexpectedly, I now had some free time. Should I just train, then?
"There you are!"
"Greetings, Patriarch."
As I pondered how to kill time, a cheerful voice rang out. It was Namgung Hyeok.
With a much brighter face than last time, he approached laughing heartily and patted my shoulder.
"What is a precious guest of our family doing poking around the kitchen?"
"I was preparing a meal for Hye."
"Haha. Leave that to our maids. Besides, Hye's eating well even when others cook for her now."
After our last spar, Namgung Cheon had personally examined Namgung Hye. He'd confirmed she was completely free of the heart demon, and her normal behavior reassured everyone.
One of those things was eating her meals on time.
Before, she'd only eaten my cooking, but now she ate without hesitation what the other chefs made, which greatly relieved Namgung Hyeok.
But that didn't mean she disliked my cooking, so she'd asked me directly.
She wanted to eat what I made every day.
It wasn't a big deal while staying at the Namgung Family, so I'd just been doing it.
"Hmm. Still, it's too much trouble for you. If you insist, why not make some Western snacks and send them over?"
"Understood."
What could I say when an elder spoke? I just said yes.
Pleased with my response, Namgung Hyeok grinned and slapped my back.
"Then you must have some time on your hands? Care for a cup of tea?"
"Yes. Of course."
The place Namgung Hyeok led me to was a small garden in the inner courtyard. The garden I'd wrecked last time was under repair and inaccessible.
But this place was quite beautiful too. We climbed a small pavilion surrounded by meticulously tended flowers, where tea was already prepared.
"Oh? You're here too?"
The one who had prepared it was none other than Namgung Hye. She flinched in surprise at the sight of me and glanced at Namgung Hyeok.
"Father!"
"Hahaha! What's wrong with that?"
I watched Namgung Hye let out a cry full of embarrassment.
She turned her head away sharply when our eyes met. Ever since that last encounter, she'd been avoiding eye contact like this. Was she still hung up on hurting me?
I'd told her there was no need to worry about it.
"Ugh... Sit down already."
After a light greeting with her, I took my seat, and Namgung Hyeok began brewing tea with a beaming smile.
"It's called red tea."
It was bright red. Red tea? Black tea, maybe? The deep aroma tickling my nose suggested it was high-quality.
"With milk and sugar? I hear that's the trend these days."
"Is that so?"
"Some even add these..."
Tapioca pearls? They really have everything.
I took the tapioca milk tea Namgung Hyeok handed me. It looked refreshingly cool with ice floating in it.
"Thanks to you, our Hye is better. I don't know how to repay you."
"I didn't do much. She saved herself."
I glanced at Namgung Hye sitting beside me. She turned her head away again.
I'd definitely felt her eyes on me just moments ago...
"Even so, your help was invaluable. So... is there anything you want?"
Perfect timing. If the Namgung Family helped when I fought the Blood Cult later, it'd lighten the burden a lot. This was the pivotal moment.
"I'll have a request for the family later. Please don't refuse it then."
"What could make you speak so seriously?"
"It's very important."
I felt eyes on me from the side. Now!
"......"
This time, she didn't look away. Namgung Hye stared blankly at me, then hurriedly turned her head after a pause.
I snorted at her ridiculous attempt to pretend she hadn't seen, and Namgung Hyeok let out a groan.
"It's so grand, I don't know what to say. But... yes. You saved our Hye. The family owes you a great debt, and as her father, I have no way to repay it fully."
Then?
Namgung Hyeok nodded and rose from his seat. As he walked away from the garden, I glanced at Namgung Hye.
Her head turned away again. I poked her back lightly.
"If you have something to say, spit it out."
"W-What?!"
"Why so surprised? You've been peeking at me nonstop."
"Ugh... O-Okay?"
Even a child could tell. I sighed at Namgung Hye and extended my hand. I grabbed her chin as she tried to turn away and avoid my gaze, forcing her to face me, and stared straight into her eyes.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Uh. W-Well. Um. H-How should I put it."
"...?"
"...Hobbies?"
What the hell out of nowhere.
But I could answer that much.
"Cooking. And training."
"I see... Oh, uh, and where you're living now... I kn-know that. Um. Yeah."
The kid seemed a bit off. Is this normal after escaping a heart demon?
I reached out to her as she sweated and pondered deeply. I patted her arm reassuringly.
"I don't know what you want to say, but no need to rush. Take your time, think it over, then tell me. I'll wait."
"Ugh..."
Her eyes wavered. Tears welled up in them.
Was she seriously moved right now?
It felt like I'd said something profoundly wise.
"Did I keep you waiting long?"
"No."
"But... why is Hye acting like that?"
Namgung Hyeok, puzzled as she hurriedly wiped her eyes, held out something from his bosom. It was a blue plaque carved with a dragon.
"The Soaring Dragon Token. A precious treasure given only to benefactors of the Namgung Family."
"Oh..."
I knew this. It appeared in the novel too. Showing this to the family head meant they'd grant one request, no matter what.
The protagonist had used it to add Namgung Hye to his harem.
But I had no such plans. When I fought the Blood Cult later, there'd be massive casualties. I wanted the Namgung Family to help prevent that.
"Thank you. This will be a great help."
"It's not bad for us either. More importantly, what are your plans now?"
"Pardon?"
"If you wish, you can make this your home from now on."
Was he telling me to leave Sword Heaven Hall? Namgung Hyeok was serious, and Namgung Hye beside me watched me earnestly too.
His words seemed genuine, not mere politeness. I shook my head.
"I see. A shame, but unavoidable. Still, remember this: the swords of Namgung are always at your command."
It was when I returned to my lodgings after parting with Namgung Hyeok. One of the maids was waiting with a letter.
"Young Master Jin. A letter for you."
"Thanks."
Unfolding it revealed a short message.
[Come to Flower Heaven Tower.]
It was from Yu Ye-ryeon. Looked like she was done too.
"Where are you going?"
As I finished preparing to head out, Namgung Hye was pacing in front of my lodgings, holding something.
She tilted her head at my outfit, so I showed her the letter.
"Sword Heaven is back from her business. Time to meet up."
"Ah... I see. Mind if I come along?"
"Sure."
Maybe she wanted to greet Yu Ye-ryeon? No issue there.
I headed out to the streets of Hapbi with Namgung Hye. As a major city, it was far more bustling than Jinhyu. Especially surprising was...
"Oh? Dwarves rarely visit Hapbi. How novel. I wonder what's up?"
Hina being an elf wasn't strange, but a dwarf honestly was. A short man, child-sized but with a thick beard, walked by carrying a massive axe. Their typical traits matched standard fantasy ones, as far as I recalled...
"Yoo-hoo~!"
Then came a cheerful shout. Turning from the dwarf, something leaped at me and covered my face. Two soft, plush mounds with a pleasant scent.
"Miss me?! Oh~. Grown even more in the short time apart, huh?!"
"Mmph."
The one who hugged me tight and ruffled my hair wildly was none other than Yu Ye-ryeon.
She looked no different from when she'd left, grinning with her red eyes narrowed happily.
"Good. Good. You were at the Namgung Family but didn't pick up their color. And you grew stronger too. Excellent. Excellent."
She nodded, petting my head vigorously, then glanced at Namgung Hye and smirked.
"Wow~. She's grown too, huh?"
"...Looks like it."
Her voice sounded oddly stiff. Caught in Yu Ye-ryeon's grasp, I turned to Namgung Hye, and at her appearance, I clenched my fist without realizing.
The light had vanished from her eyes, just like when the heart demon had gripped her before.